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Normal Shape: The stock of knowledge members use as a resource in recovering intelligibility in everyday encounters consists of a set of structured typifi-cations (Schutz 1966) which inform them about what things are like. The typifications are presumed to be obvious, normal shape and natura' they are 'what everyone knows' and 'what everyone knows everyone else knows'. Members presume that the social stock of knowledge will cover all eventualities. Any event, any action, any utterance will always be taken to be an instance of a 'normal shape' category that is 'known-in-common'. Since all forms are treated as normal shape forms the member simply has to 'see' the form for what it 'really is', i.e. which typification it is 'really' an instance of. The ordinary member invariably expects that other members will generate recognisable utterances and behaviour in which he will be able to see what they 'had in mind' and so grasp their intentions in the shape of their 'in-order-to' and Tjecause-of motives.
The adhocing procedure: managing the fit between instance and category.
THIS INFLUENCES design considerably. Few plots are symmetrical, but that really does not matter. An L-shape or a triangle can even offer more design potential than a rectangle. Perhaps the most difficult shape of all is a square, particularly when it is too small to subdivide as in many yards in front. A design for an awkward shape needs to be carefully thought out. A long thin area, for example, can be divided into contrasting sections with barriers across its width, but by leaving a narrow view running through from one end to the other you create an additional sight line. Furthermore, by placing an ornamental feature like a statue or seat at the far end, you gain the full benefit from the site's length while the screens minimize the disadvantages of its shape.
The shape of the geoid is defined by its departure from a "reference ellipsoid" which fits most closely to the shape of the earth; in this case, the average level of the land and sea is taken as the norm. Mountains are then higher and sea-floors lower than the surface of this ellipsoid. (An ellipsoid is the regular geometric shape obtained by revolving an ellipse round one of its axes.) |
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